Hill: Stand tall, sit straight and be proud

Dr. Teresa C. Hll, For the Journal-Advocate

Posted:
04/08/2013 11:27:32 AM MDT

Dr. Teresa C. Hill, For the Journal-Advocate

Proper sitting posture can enhance your children's educational experience. Lower back pain often begins in childhood. It is reported that approximately 15 percent of children will suffer some form of back pain.

Health education appears to be very beneficial for the children that are taught about correct posture behaviors and techniques to take care of and prevent back troubles. The researchers taught 11 sessions involving proper spinal biomechanics including proper lifting, sitting, standing and bending activates. These sessions were held in physical education classes, classrooms and even at the children's homes. The children were then tested about proper back care at six, twelve month, and four year intervals.

The students significantly improved their posture habits and reduced the amount of back pain as compared to the controlled students. The importance about the studies indicate that the students gain valuable life skills when properly educated. When healthy habits are formed in the childhood years, they have a tendency to carry over into adulthood.

Once again I am going to nag everyone about the importance of proper posture. Proper posture is such an important part of the whole health picture. The functioning of the body depends on proper posture to help the internal organs to function at an optimal level.

Let me remind you how important it is to stand tall and sit up straight. I'll take this moment to remind you of an important exercise.

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Use the wall as a plumb line. Place your heels, buttocks, shoulder blades, and the back of your head against the wall. Then add deep breathing to help flex and extend the spine.

If you try to reset your body and use the wall as a reminder of your proper posture this will help you change your bad habit of sloppy or slouchy posture. When you go to a seated position remain in the same upright manner as when you were standing against the wall. Sit tall. Not only does sitting and standing properly give you better respiratory and digestive function, but it also adds to your overall confidence level. Have you ever seen anyone with a great amount of confidence who looked like they just crawled out from under a rock and are all slouched over? It just doesn't happen that way. Why do you think it is so important in the Armed Forces to "Stand Up Tall and Be Proud To Be An American!" It brings about better functioning as well as an outward air of confidence. I just love to see our returning men and women displaying such an impressive picture. Their posture is so uplifting and so absolutely in tune with that of confidence and self assurance.

While exercising it is also good to remember the importance of proper posture. Your spines will perform so much more effectively in the proper position. You will find that you breathe more efficiently and that it takes less effort to succeed in your exercise efforts.

Bending and lifting with good technique is required in order to protect our spines. Bend with your knees when you are attempting to lift or pull. Again, protect your spine from physical and posture abuse. It is imperative to your good health.

Wishing everyone a very healthy and happy day. May God bless America and all of our troops. Yours in good health.

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